NJSBA Young Lawyers in the Spotlight

New Brunswick, NJ - A quartet of the newest members of New Jersey’s legal community was honored for their achievements.

The Young Lawyers Division of the New Jersey State Bar Association recognized four of its own at the association’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City On May 19.

"Dynamic young lawyers like this year's honorees are the future of this profession," said New Jersey State Bar Association Immediate Past President Allen A. Etish.

The winners were:

Bobby Conner received the Professional Achievement Award. Conner is the American Civil Liberty Union of New Jersey’s open governance staff attorney. His work is dedicated to improving access to public records and public meetings.

“Not only has Mr. Conner become a leading attorney and advocate in the field of open government…but he also is a creative colleague who holds himself to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical character” said Jeanne LoCicero, deputy director of the civil liberties group.

Lloyd Freeman was named the Young Lawyer of the Year. Freeman, a commercial litigation attorney, is an associate at Archer & Greiner, PC in Haddonfield.

“He is widely involved in pro bono activities,” said Christine Baxter, a law firm colleague. “Lloyd has shown an unwavering commitment to charity and community-oriented activities, yet he still is able to perform high-quality work for his clients.”

Melissa Gertz earned the Service to the Community Award for her work as the co-founder and Executive Director of the Community Justice Center in Trenton. The center is a non-profit organization that assists disabled veterans apply for disability benefits.

Despite being disabled herself, “Melissa raised funds for the non-profit and turned it into a successful entity. She has a full caseload and speaks on panels on veterans’ rights” said Christina Vassiliou Harvey, chair of the young lawyers division.

Robert Stout was awarded the Service to the Bar Award. Stout is an associate at Porzio Bromberg & Newman, PC in Morristown, where he handles real estate matters.

Stout was nominated for his work coordinating the division’s Wills for Heroes program in New Jersey. The program brings together lawyers with first responders and others in the emergency response field who need wills. The attorneys volunteer their time. In recent months, the division has held several events and helped dozens of firefighters, EMT’s and others.

“He has been of assistance in training new experts and assisting at other Wills for Heroes events,” said Harvey.